Questions for those using these NOE .225" moulds?

[DR Owl Creek]

I have a few questions for anyone who is using the following NOE .225" moulds, particularly in .223/5.56 chamber rifles.
I know NOE moulds are spec'd to drop cast bullets at their nominal sizes when used with WW alloy, but what sizes are you getting when they are used with Hardball alloy (92/6/2), Lyman #2 (90/5/5), Linotype (84/12/4), etc ?
How well have these bullet designs worked for you in regard to feeding, velocity, and accuracy (particularly accuracy at higher velocities)?

NOE 225 55gr FN-GC (RCBS 22-055 FN) http://noebulletmoulds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=301&osCsid=shmkh92vmcdprmg24prnje4K76

NOE 225 55gr FN-GC (Eagan MX3-22) http://noebulletmoulds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=311&osCsid=00g6anibbp1onj5gv0ussslf06

NOE 225 60gr RN-GC (SAECO #221) http://noebulletmoulds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=359&osCsid=59k4s87dfgjsfd35i4klfiu430

NOE 225 70gr RN-GC (like a scaled down 311299) http://noebulletmoulds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=87&osCsid=ej89t105n21i1eocee7o5jhf35

Thanks,

Dave

[DR Owl Creek]

I went ahead and ordered the NOE 60gr RN-GC (SAECO #221) bullet mould I listed in my above post. I already have the NOE 70gr RN-GC, but I haven't cast any bullets with it yet, so I can't report on what sizes the cast bullets will drop from it or how well it will work yet. From studying the drawings, I thought these two designs would probably be the best choice for use in my 5.56mm chambered rifles.

If anyone has used any of these moulds, I would still like to hear about what sizes they produce, and how well they have worked for you. In addition, if anyone has used the NOE 62gr FN-GC (Eagan MX3-22-EX) mould, even if it was in a .222 Remington, I would like to hear about that design as well. Some of these older match/benchrest designs seem like they should work very well in .223/5.56 chambered rifles too.

For the specs on the NOE 62gr MX3-22-EX, go to: http://noebulletmoulds.com/NV/product_info.php?cPath=24&products_id=182&osCsid=5ce84b23h3muag5taq31ssvc15 .

Thanks,

Dave

[Tom Myers]

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I know NOE moulds are spec'd to drop cast bullets at their nominal sizes when used with WW alloy, but what sizes are you getting when they are used with Hardball alloy (92/6/2), Lyman #2 (90/5/5), Linotype
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Thanks,
Dave

Dave,

The New Cast Bullet Design ~ Advanced (http://www.tmtpages.com/#advanced) software has just been released with a new feature that calculates a recomended mold alloy cavity size and the resulting differences in predicted diameters from various bullet casting alloys cast from that mold.

Notice that the operative word here is 'predicted' but, so far, it appears that the predictions are quite close to actual castings.
The image of the new feature shows what the predictions are for an aluminum mold cavity designed to cast traditional 0.955/0.005/0.040 wheelweight alloy at a diameter of 0.2250".
With a bullet diameter this small, there is not a whole lot of difference in diameters..

In a couple of days, I will have more information about the new software in the Shooting Software Store located in the Vendor Sponsor forum




http://www.tmtpages.com/LinkSkyImages/forum_images/UltimateImages/Predicteddia-of-225cast.png

http://www.tmtpages.com/LinkSkyImages/forum_images/UltimateImages/Predicteddia-adjusted.png

[.22-10-45]

I have used the Eagan MX3 in a Ruger No. 1 .222 Rem. Accuract was ok..but what really improved accuracy..to the point of equalling the best match jacketed bullet grouping at 100yds. was when I re-formed this bullet by swaging in a Corbin reloading press type swaging die. I had various configured nose punches made up from full round nose to tapered flat point. The tapered nose punch results in the Eagan looking for all the world like a Rem. Yellow Jacket rimfire bullet. I have also re-formed the Saeco .22 for improved accuracy. Bullets must be fully lubed before swaging to support grooves.

[DR Owl Creek]

Wow! I want to thank all three of you. That's great info.

Tom,
Your software looks like it answers all my questions. I'll check that out more!

Thanks again,

Dave

[Boolseye]

the 55 grain RCBS clone is a brilliant .223 bullet, in my experience.
drops around .226" or so, sized to .225" and shot, accurately, at high velocity in my AR.
Relatively hard alloy, bhn 18 or so. Feeds flawlessly in my m4 carbine

by HV, I mean 2700 fps. I don't load them that hot now, but I was shooting decent groups offhand at 50 yds
with velocities between 25- and 2700 fps. No appreciable leading.

[DR Owl Creek]

Boolseye,

Thanks for posting your results. I'll have to get one of the 55s to try too.

If you don't mind, could you give some more of the specifics about your load?

Thanks,

Dave

[Boolseye]

Dave,
I sent a PM with probably more load info than you'd counted on, then realized you were only asking about one.
That HV load was 22 grains of VV530.
-BE

[DR Owl Creek]

Boolseye,

Thanks for posting that.

Dave